Projects are fun to do. And because they are fun, you will naturally see more engagement and motivation. More than just fun, projects are engaging ways to help students achieve the learning objective.

But why are projects so engaging? One possibility is it involves different skills and there are different entry points for students. It can be the art, the hands-on aspects, or the research and digging for your curious ones. Project-based learning is a great way to integrate different subject matter. In project-based learning, students will be using different skills in tandem. They will be able to authentically incorporate reading and writing skills to gather and share information. They can utilize visual and presentation skills to share their project. There are a lot of inherent math skills involved in planning, building, organizing, measuring the visuals and materials needed. Listening and speaking have always been a part of language arts standards and presenting their projects is a great way to practice. Not to mention, communication is crucial to getting students to be career ready.

Because of the multi-faceted approaches one can take, it’s easy to lose sight of the learning objective. When you’re ready to start a project, be sure to begin with the learning goal. Know what your students need to know at the completion of the project and plan lessons and activities that support their final goal. This is sometimes referred to as backwards design. There should be at least one, if not multiple, formative assessments along the way. Projects can be used as a type summative task. You will need to check for understanding along the way. You can do this through formative assessments, such as short quizzes or assignments. You can also do this informally through practice activities, check-ins,  or observations of students working or during class discussions.

Another powerful option in planning projects is to allow students a choice in how they will present their learning. Instead of choosing the end product for a learning goal, like a poster, diorama, or writing, allow students to choose their medium for how they will show their learning. This will allow students to best show you what they know without being affected by a skill that could be unrelated to the learning objective. With a larger amount of flexibility, you need to be ready to guide students through an efficient process. Remind them to start with their goal in mind and focus on showing what they have learned about the learning objective. It’s easy to get carried away with all the excitement, so it’s important for you and the students to keep their learning goal in mind and help them tailor their final presentation to show their learning.

Connecting to PBIS:

Support students in showcasing their knowledge and learning. Build on their unique strengths and experiences.

Help students feel accepted and supported wherever they are on their learning path.